Hopes and Prospects
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This is a classic Chomsky work: a bonfire of myths and lies, sophistries and delusions. Noam Chomsky is an enduring inspiration all over the world for the simple reason that he is a truth-teller on an epic scale. I salute him (John Pilger )
One of our most valued political thinkers (Independent on Sunday )
Noam Chomsky is a global phenomenon . . . he may be the most widely read American voice on foreign policy on the planet today (The New York Times Book Review )
A treasure-trove of truths that shouldn't be left buried in our sandpit of propaganda and lies (Johann Hari Independent )
The west's most prominent critic of US imperialism . . . the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar (Guardian )
One of our most valued political thinkers (Independent on Sunday )
Noam Chomsky is a global phenomenon . . . he may be the most widely read American voice on foreign policy on the planet today (The New York Times Book Review )
A treasure-trove of truths that shouldn't be left buried in our sandpit of propaganda and lies (Johann Hari Independent )
The west's most prominent critic of US imperialism . . . the closest thing in the English-speaking world to an intellectual superstar (Guardian )
Product Description
In this urgent new book, Noam Chomsky surveys the threats and prospects of our early twenty-first century. Exploring challenges such as the growing gap between North and South, American exceptionalism (even under Obama), the fiascos of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli assault on Gaza and the recent financial bailouts, he also sees hope for the future and a way to move forward - in the so-called democratic wave in Latin America and in the global solidarity movements which suggest 'real progress towards freedom and justice'.
Hopes and Prospects is essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the primary challenges still facing the human race and is wondering where to find a ray of hope.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Eighty-one years old last December, and showing no sign of easing up on his Stahkanovite work rate, Noam Chomsky has recently published "Hopes and Prospects" - his latest collection of writing on global affairs. As usual Chomsky doesn't focus his scrutiny on official enemies, that would be too easy though no doubt rewarding (at least financially), but takes the more serious responsibility of looking into the rhetoric and reality of his own countries contributions to the world.
Rather than referring to Barack "The Audacity of Hype" Obama, the "hope" of the title refers to developments in Latin America that Chomsky covers in the first section of this book. Indeed at least the first two chapters appear to be transcripts of talks given in Chile. When Obama comes into view the prospect is less one of hope, but of the massive gulf between the rhetoric of his campaign (which in all truth was woolly enough) and the reality of his record in government. His treasury team including former architects and direct beneficiaries of the financial deregulation of the 1980's and 90's (e.g. Lawrence Summers and Robert Rubin) is mirrored in the pitiful nature of the changes to the regulatory system (essentially business as usual) and the unaccountable nature of the banks recent feeding frenzy at public expense.
Beyond the hopes in Latin America and the hype of Barack Obama, Chomsky finds space to consider the United States recent and ongoing interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq; developments in the Middle East, with attention to the attack on Gaza, the attack on Lebanon, and the Obama administrations policy vis-à-vis the Palestinian-Israel conflict; the grotesque hypocrisy of the United States policy regarding the Nuclear issue and Iran; the fate of Obamas one radical policy, his attempt to reform health provision; and the twentieth anniversary celebrations of the events of 1989, where he quotes from a Central American writer that if that celebrant of American foreign policy Vaclev Havel had been active in one of the Latin American countries within the United States domain, rather than genuflecting to the Americans at the orgy of self-congratulation that made up the anniversary celebrations, he would have been found dead at the roadside, mutilated and murdered decades ago.
Among the valuable services that Chomsky provides are his endnotes: they are a pointer to many useful resources, publications and books. One example I am looking forward to getting hold of is Malalai Joyas A Woman Among Warlords. Chomsky quotes from her, and other Afghans at length, and her activism in a hostile environment appears truly awesome. This is a book that I have no problem in recommending to anyone who is serious about some of the most pressing issues facing the world today, and who wishes to get beyond rhetoric and hypocrisy to see what is actually going on.
Rather than referring to Barack "The Audacity of Hype" Obama, the "hope" of the title refers to developments in Latin America that Chomsky covers in the first section of this book. Indeed at least the first two chapters appear to be transcripts of talks given in Chile. When Obama comes into view the prospect is less one of hope, but of the massive gulf between the rhetoric of his campaign (which in all truth was woolly enough) and the reality of his record in government. His treasury team including former architects and direct beneficiaries of the financial deregulation of the 1980's and 90's (e.g. Lawrence Summers and Robert Rubin) is mirrored in the pitiful nature of the changes to the regulatory system (essentially business as usual) and the unaccountable nature of the banks recent feeding frenzy at public expense.
Beyond the hopes in Latin America and the hype of Barack Obama, Chomsky finds space to consider the United States recent and ongoing interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq; developments in the Middle East, with attention to the attack on Gaza, the attack on Lebanon, and the Obama administrations policy vis-à-vis the Palestinian-Israel conflict; the grotesque hypocrisy of the United States policy regarding the Nuclear issue and Iran; the fate of Obamas one radical policy, his attempt to reform health provision; and the twentieth anniversary celebrations of the events of 1989, where he quotes from a Central American writer that if that celebrant of American foreign policy Vaclev Havel had been active in one of the Latin American countries within the United States domain, rather than genuflecting to the Americans at the orgy of self-congratulation that made up the anniversary celebrations, he would have been found dead at the roadside, mutilated and murdered decades ago.
Among the valuable services that Chomsky provides are his endnotes: they are a pointer to many useful resources, publications and books. One example I am looking forward to getting hold of is Malalai Joyas A Woman Among Warlords. Chomsky quotes from her, and other Afghans at length, and her activism in a hostile environment appears truly awesome. This is a book that I have no problem in recommending to anyone who is serious about some of the most pressing issues facing the world today, and who wishes to get beyond rhetoric and hypocrisy to see what is actually going on.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Noam Chomsky yet again tells us far more about our world than our media ever do.
He writes, "A well-documented conclusion is that sovereignty, hence ability to control internal economic development and to enter international market systems on one's own terms, is a crucial prerequisite to economic development." 25 years of economic sovereignty, backed by exchange controls and managed currencies, did better than the succeeding 25 years of Thatcherism. Protectionism brings growth; imposed liberalisation harms growth.
In 1985 the World Bank said that in its standard `development' strategy, domestic consumption should be `markedly restrained', support for education `minimized' and `less emphasis should be placed on social objectives'.
The US National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2015 (2000) said globalisation will lead to `a widening economic divide' and `deepening economic stagnation, political instability, and cultural alienation'. In law, predictable consequences are evidence of intent. Amnesty International's Secretary-General says that poverty is the worst of all the world's many human rights abuses.
In Latin America, Obama plays the usual US role. In June 2009, the largely US-controlled IMF at once gave a $150 million loan to the coup regime in Honduras. The IMF had earlier withdrawn loans from the elected government because it opposed that government's policies. In 2002, during the (failed) coup against Venezuela's elected government, the IMF had at once offered aid to the coup regime. France and the USA backed the 2004 coup in Haiti, which overthrew the elected government, causing 8,000 violent deaths in the next two years.
By contrast, Chomsky praises Cuba's `remarkable record of genuine internationalism over many years', especially its Operation Milagro, which has restored sight to more than a million people.
He denounces Israel's vicious and illegal siege of Gaza. Israel, with the USA, is destroying any viable Palestinian state. The USA and the EU voted against the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution calling on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to open its nuclear facilities to inspection.
In the recent US election, the best-funded candidate won 9 out of 10 contests, and Obama was the presidential candidate with most Wall Street funding. This January, the US Supreme Court voted to allow corporations to spend shareholder money directly in future elections.
He writes, "A well-documented conclusion is that sovereignty, hence ability to control internal economic development and to enter international market systems on one's own terms, is a crucial prerequisite to economic development." 25 years of economic sovereignty, backed by exchange controls and managed currencies, did better than the succeeding 25 years of Thatcherism. Protectionism brings growth; imposed liberalisation harms growth.
In 1985 the World Bank said that in its standard `development' strategy, domestic consumption should be `markedly restrained', support for education `minimized' and `less emphasis should be placed on social objectives'.
The US National Intelligence Council's Global Trends 2015 (2000) said globalisation will lead to `a widening economic divide' and `deepening economic stagnation, political instability, and cultural alienation'. In law, predictable consequences are evidence of intent. Amnesty International's Secretary-General says that poverty is the worst of all the world's many human rights abuses.
In Latin America, Obama plays the usual US role. In June 2009, the largely US-controlled IMF at once gave a $150 million loan to the coup regime in Honduras. The IMF had earlier withdrawn loans from the elected government because it opposed that government's policies. In 2002, during the (failed) coup against Venezuela's elected government, the IMF had at once offered aid to the coup regime. France and the USA backed the 2004 coup in Haiti, which overthrew the elected government, causing 8,000 violent deaths in the next two years.
By contrast, Chomsky praises Cuba's `remarkable record of genuine internationalism over many years', especially its Operation Milagro, which has restored sight to more than a million people.
He denounces Israel's vicious and illegal siege of Gaza. Israel, with the USA, is destroying any viable Palestinian state. The USA and the EU voted against the International Atomic Energy Agency resolution calling on Israel to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to open its nuclear facilities to inspection.
In the recent US election, the best-funded candidate won 9 out of 10 contests, and Obama was the presidential candidate with most Wall Street funding. This January, the US Supreme Court voted to allow corporations to spend shareholder money directly in future elections.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In Hopes and Prospects, Noam Chomsky lifts lid on the gritty side of global politics that are not widely covered by the media. Much of what is written fills me with an immense sense of injustice, as well as shame in the way my own government conducts itself in the 'interests of its people'.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting an insight into government foreign policies at the highest level, throughout history and up to the modern day.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting an insight into government foreign policies at the highest level, throughout history and up to the modern day.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Often insightful, often repetitive
Hopes and Prospects is classic Noam Chomsky and I mean that in two ways: (1) there is some insightful material that gets to the heart of contemporary United States democracy,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. Tristan Martin
colonial
Chomsky does not restrict his criticism to the USA's treatment of the 'natives' but turns his attention to what was the British Empire so now, being a Brit. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Eric Hutchinson
Addictive
there's not much really to say: this book by Chomsky is the first his I am reading and I love it. The fact he gives is one and doubtlessly very important part of it, especially for... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Kareem ad Din
Superb, very interesting
Having read a lot of Chomsky before he does end up sounding like a bit like a parody of himself but it does make a good read.
Published 21 months ago by T. Jennings
Excellent
As usual, Chomsky is intelligent and articulate. Well worth reading to maintain a balanced, informed view of the world.
Published 21 months ago by Martin Fan
Chomsky on fire - mostly
Hopes and Prospects is effectively a collection of speeches and articles Chomsky wrote/delivered around the subject of global movements to combat the neo-liberal orthodoxy -... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Prateek Buch
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